]]>Amelia Book Signingshttp://racingnation.com/amelia-book-signings/
Wed, 14 Mar 2018 23:54:26 +0000http://racingnation.com/?p=17283In addition to the many things going on at Amelia Island during Concours weekend, authors were on hand to sign their new books.

In addition to the many things going on at Amelia Island during Concours weekend – the car auctions, the vendor displays inside the Ritz Carlton and the fantastic cars on the field – authors were on hand to sign their new books, myself included.

I was there with my new motorsports photography book, “Racing Pilots”, and was certainly in some very good company. I was set up with my good friend and mentor Burt Levy who has helped me greatly in my quest to become a published author. Burt, of course, is well known to the motorsports community for his “Last Open Road” series of racing novels which he has been selling at motoring events around the country since 1994. He is the best.

On the first day, I was seated next to John Fitzpatrick who was on hand to sign his outstanding book about his racing career “Fitz”. It was great to sit next to John and swap racing stories and look through our books together.

One of the big introductions of new books for the Amelia Island event was David Hobbs’ highly anticipated biography “Hobbo” that he did with Andrew Marriott and both David and Andrew were on hand to sign copies. I have to take a tiny bit of credit for Hobbs doing a book since I have been bugging him for at least the past ten years to write one. David, I told him, you have such incredibly funny and interesting stories, people would love a book from you. He asked me if I thought people would really be interested in a book by him and I told him again and again – of course they would, just get it done. Gladly, he did and the reception at Amelia Island for him was terrific.

The biggest introduction of the weekend was Hurley Haywood’s new book, “Hurley – From the Beginning” and it was very well received to say the least. I think they actually sold all the stock that they brought to the event and whenever Hurley was at the signing table (which was quite often), there was always a lot of fans lined up to meet Hurley and buy his book.

And me? Well I was certainly pleased with the event as well and even though this was not a racing event I did quite well with “Racing Pilots” both inside the Ritz Carlton and on the show field. Sitting at the author’s table on the field Saturday next to legends like John Fitzpatrick, Hurley Haywood and David Hobbs was quite the experience for me.

When I started by racing journey back in 1971 I could never have imagined that I would find myself seated next to such racing royalty 47 years later signing my own book, while they were signing theirs.

]]>The Holy Grailhttp://racingnation.com/the-holy-grail/
Wed, 14 Mar 2018 18:00:19 +0000http://racingnation.com/?p=17266More than 47 years since the film was made an object that many would consider the “Holy Grail” of motorsports and movie history has surfaced.

For a lot of people of my generation, they really got the racing bug after seeing the Steve McQueen movie “Le Mans” in a theatre in 1971. For people in later generations, I am sure that seeing that classic racing movie on DVD gave them that same inspiration.

In my case, I saw the movie on its premiere day in June of 1971. I was enthralled, excited and motivated to get involved in racing after seeing it. Shortly thereafter, in August, I saw my first professional sports car race – the CanAm race at Mid-Ohio where Jackie Stewart won in a Lola, followed by Jo Siffert in a Porsche 917 and Herbert Muller in a Ferrari 512M.

I was hooked, and now 47 years later I am still heavily involved in racing. Now as a writer and photographer, back in the 1980s as a Porsche team manager working endurance races like Daytona and Sebring. In real life, I literally acted out some of the scenes from “Le Mans” in racing situations – a true instance of life imitating art. I went to Le Mans for the race in 2005, and even though many things at the track had changed since the movie was made back in 1970, the spirit of the film was alive and stayed with me everywhere I went around the circuit. Walking the old circuit at White House I relived the opening crash sequence in the film, at Indianapolis I could still visualize those Porsches and Ferraris doing battle. It is amazing how much of an impact that film has had on my life.

Now, more than 47 years since the film was made an object that many would consider the “Holy Grail” of both motorsports and movie history has surfaced – the helmet that Steve McQueen wore during the making of the film.

Racing historian and memorabilia dealer Darren Jack has obtained this very rare piece of history and I got the chance to see and actually hold it in my hands at Amelia Island last weekend.

The helmet, the object representing the beginning of my obsession with motorsport was right there in my hands and it was quite a humbling experience. It was as though it was a bookend to my racing life, for the movie “Le Mans” ignited my racing passion and I have been able to follow it though by living a life that I would certainly not had the opportunity to live had it not been for the influence of that film. I have recently published a book of my motorsports photography (Racing Pilots), and that would have never been possible without Steve McQueen and his iconic film, for without that film my life would have likely taken a very different path.

I am sure that my story is not unique, and that many other people in racing were influenced by “Le Mans” as well. For some it may have just kindled an interest in the sport, while for others it ignited a passion that changed the course of their life.

The helmet, along with volumes of documentation, came from the family of the late Andrew Ferguson (former Lotus F1 team manager), who was in charge of hiring all the drivers for the film. He had saved all the original contracts, notes, correspondence, schedules and related items from the film. At the conclusion of filming, McQueen presented him with the helmet. It sat in the family home, unseen for over four decades until Darren tracked it down and made a deal with the family to obtain it.

What could it be worth? Who knows, but in 2011 one of the Gulf driver suits that was worn by McQueen in the film sold at auction for nearly one million dollars. It is now 7 years later and the iconic helmet has now surfaced. How does one put a value on such a thing?

All I know is that if I won the lottery, I would be first in line to buy it, regardless of price.

INDIANAPOLIS, Wednesday, March 14, 2018 – A new premium viewing area will be constructed outside Turn 3 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, offering an all-inclusive Race Day experience for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil.

The Turn 3 Club is being offered in response to increased demand for premium seating and hospitality at IMS. Suites are sold out for Indianapolis 500 Race Day, while limited availability remains in the Hulman Terrace Club. Hospitality and premium sales are well ahead of the pace from 2017, with demand mirroring that from the landmark 100th Running in 2016.

Demand for Reserved Seats also is stronger than for the 101st Running last May, won by Takuma Sato before one of the largest Race Day crowds in decades. Sales in February 2018 were significantly greater than those during the same month in 2017, as momentum and anticipation – boosted by the new “This Is May” campaign – continue to build for the INDYCAR Grand Prix on Saturday, May 12 and the Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil on Sunday, May 27.

“The Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil continues in its second century to show its strength as the world’s greatest spectator sporting event,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said. “Demand for this year’s race is very strong, with suites sold out and ticket sales continuing to outpace last year. Adding the Turn 3 Club as a new way to experience the Indy 500 gives another option for our fans who want that traditional race experience with more than just a grandstand seat.”

The Turn 3 Club, located on the outside of the famed 2.5-mile oval, will provide these amenities:

•Spectacular views of the track from an elevated Turn 3 location

•Pairing with a Reserved Seat in the North Vista for each customer

•All-inclusive food, beer and wine, with liquor available for purchase

•Tented deck area with tables and limited seating

•Parking passes in the North 40 Lot, with one pass for every four tickets purchased

•Souvenir event program for each customer

•Dedicated restroom facilities

•Live TV and audio feed

Tickets to the Turn 3 Club are $750 each. Existing Indianapolis 500 presented by PennGrade Motor Oil Race Day ticket holders can upgrade to the Turn 3 Club for $700 each.

Prices will increase closer to May, so interested race goers are encouraged to purchase soon at www.ims.com/turn3club or the IMS Ticket Office.

Fans looking for a ticket to every racing event at IMS can also purchase a limited number of seats left in the Hulman Terrace Club. Located on the outside of the front straightaway just past the Turn 4 exit, the club features premium stadium seating, a private area for food and beverage, and tickets to every day of track action in May along with the Brickyard Vintage Racing Invitational, Big Machine Vodka 400 at the Brickyard and Red Bull Air Race World Championship. For more information, click here.

]]>Motorsports Minute: Tony Stewarthttp://racingnation.com/motorsports-minute-tony-stewart-17/
Wed, 14 Mar 2018 13:00:54 +0000http://racingnation.com/?p=17271With all four cars in the top ten Sunday at Phoenix, team owner Tony Stewart says this is the best Stewart-Haas Racing has ever been, top to bottom.

The 66th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring is next up on the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule, and following an extremely competitive opening round at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January, there is no reason to think that Sebring is going to offer anything less exciting.

Daytona winners Filipe Albuquerque, Joao Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi are still united for the Sebring run in their Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi and are looking to continue their winning ways against what will be stiff competition from the field of 16 prototype entries for Sebring. Acura Team Penske looks to improve after a 9th and 10th place finish at Daytona, Mazda Team Joest looks for acquittal for its disappointing performance in the Rolex 24 and everyone else has surely taken the lessons learned in the first race of the year to heart and all look for improved results at Sebring.

Strong GTLM and GTD fields head to Sebring as well, with Ford looking for another win in GTLM to follow their Daytona triumph, while Corvette looks for a repeat win at Sebring after having taken top class honors last year.

In GTD, Lamborghini looks to continue their winning ways, having taken the marque’s very first endurance win at Daytona in January. However, with a strong 18 car field for GTD entered for Sebring, as usual in this class it is anybody’s race to win (or lose).

The weather forecast for the week looks fantastic, with virtually no chance of rain and warm (but not too warm) temperatures.

A personal note from us. A couple of years ago we were discussing who should be next into the Sebring Hall of Fame and decided that since Tom Kristensen got in with his 6 victories, that Dindo Capello should be inducted with his 5 wins, second only to Tom. We prepared a petition and asked a lot of drivers from IMSA and the FIA sign it – and they gladly did. Dindo has a lot of friends in racing and he is one of the nicest guys we have ever met.

So, we were very pleased to learn that Dindo has been inducted into this year’s Hall of Fame class and we are looking forward to seeing him this week when he flies into Sebring from Italy for this well deserved honor.

]]>Los Angeles, CA (March 13, 2018) – Polaris GRC, the highly anticipated new class for side-by-side vehicles in Red Bull GRC competition, will feature the all-new Polaris RZR® RS1, the most agile RZR ever. This driver-focused platform is ideal for rallycross racing and will compete on the full schedule of the Red Bull GRC season in a 12-race championship.

“This class opens up GRC rallycross racing to a whole new world of competitors, and we’re sure that our future champions will be born in this class,” said Colin Dyne, Red Bull GRC CEO.

To prepare the Polaris RZR RS1 for GRC competition, certain modifications are required focused primarily around driver safety and making the vehicle ready for wheel-to-wheel GRC racing. All vehicles must be fitted with the Polaris GRC Competition Pack, developed in partnership with PJ’s Performance in Scottsdale, AZ headed by off-road, Indycar, IMSA and NASCAR driver PJ Jones. The Competition Pack includes a custom roll cage, racing seat, wide-track suspension, brakes and performance modifications and is available on a first-come, first served basis for $28,500. The series will open reservations on March 13th for all interested parties.

Polaris GRC will also be fully supported with trackside service provided at each round of the Polaris GRC championship featuring technical assistance and spare parts available to all competitors.

With one of the best media packages in the world of motorsports, all Polaris GRC rounds will be aired on NBC television and a soon to be announced Turner digital platform. Fans can also follow all the action and get live timing and scoring updates through the GRC app (available in the Android and Apple app stores under: GRC Series), social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram) and the series website www.redbullglobalrallycross.com.

About Red Bull Global Rallycross
Created to produce the most exciting action in all of motorsport, Red Bull Global Rallycross combines the best elements of stage rally, off-road and circuit racing in a fan-friendly environment. International superstars battle wheel-to-wheel over dirt, gravel, and the series’ signature 70-foot jump. For more information visit http://www.redbullglobalrallycross.com.

About Polaris
Polaris Industries Inc. (NYSE: PII) is a global powersports leader that has been fueling the passion of riders, workers and outdoor enthusiasts for more than 60 years. With annual 2017 sales of $5.4 billion, Polaris’ innovative, high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER®, RZR® and Polaris GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; the Sportsman® and Polaris ACE® all-terrain off-road vehicles; Indian Motorcycle® midsize and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot® moto-roadsters; and Polaris RMK®, INDY®, Switchback® and RUSH® snowmobiles. Polaris enhances the riding experience with parts, garments and accessories, along with a growing aftermarket portfolio, including Transamerica Auto Parts. Polaris’ presence in adjacent markets globally include military and commercial off-road vehicles, quadricycles, and electric vehicles. Proudly headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves more than 100 countries across the globe. Visit www.polaris.com for more information.

]]>Amelia Island 2018http://racingnation.com/amelia-island-2018/
Tue, 13 Mar 2018 18:45:39 +0000http://racingnation.com/?p=17255The 2018 Amelia Island Concours d’Elgance is now in the record books and as usual, the event was a huge success.

The 2018 Amelia Island Concours d’Elgance is now in the record books and as usual, the event founded by the great Bill Warner was a huge success. Despite having to condense the event due to a poor weather forecast for Sunday, the crowds were huge, Saturday’s weather outstanding, and the selection of cars on the field was second to none.

Without doubt, the 23rd annual Amelia Island event has to rank as one of the best yet and also without doubt Amelia Island is one of the top, if not the top, Concours events in the country.

This year’s Honoree was twice World Driving Champion and two time Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, and a number of his legendary race cars were on display on the show field. Emerson was accessible and gracious the entire week, greeting fans, telling great racing stories and signing what seemed like endless autographs. It was nice to see Emerson again in person, as we both have covered his exploits in both Indy Car and Formula One in the past.

The event also featured IMSA GTP cars from 1981 through 1993 and a number of fine examples where one display on the show field. In addition to the fine display of GTP cars, on Sunday a IMSA GTP seminar was held in the Ritz Carlton, hosted by Bob Varsha and featuring racing legends such as Hurley Haywood, David Hobbs, Brian Redman, Rob Dyson and Chip Robinson, among others.

The show field also featured a special class highlighting the 50th Anniversary of the Ferrari 365 GTB/4, and the resulting Ferrari display was spectacular for Ferrari fans.

But that was not all. Also featured on the field were custom cars from “Big Daddy” Ed Roth and an outstanding display of Martini sponsored race cars throughout the years, including two spectacular Porsche 917s.

More than 300 cars in total were displayed on the show field on Saturday, a tribute to this outstanding event started by Bill Warner back in 1996. Since its inception, the show’s foundation has donated over $3.2 million to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, The Navy Marine Corps Relief Society, Shop with Cops and other deserving charities in Florida.

The event just keeps going from strength to strength. Far more than single day Concours, the Ritz Carlton was filled to the brim with artwork, motoring memorabilia, high quality merchandise and vendors from around the world. Add to that the incredible cars showcased in the RM Sotheby’s Auction (since 1999 the official auction house of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance), and if you were a car guy, you were in heaven.

At the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance you are surrounded by works of art – the works of art that are the classic automobiles on the show field and the fine paintings and prints from top artists from around the world that are displayed and sold on the show field and inside the Ritz Carlton.

There are also examples of sculpture by very talented artists on display as well. Standing out from the crowd with incredible, fanciful and beautifully detailed clay sculptures are the artist pair of Craig and Pam Booth, who operate Cartoons by Booth. You can see their work on their website: cartoonsbybooth.net

They were set up inside the Ritz Carlton at Amelia Island and a journey through their display is a feast for the eyes. Exhibiting quite a few of their unique pieces, it was hard for me to pick a favorite, they were all so good.

They specialize is doing custom work and producing “one of a kind” clay sculptures of you and your car – whether it be a classic street car or race car.

Craig does the car sculptures from scratch, starting with a lump of clay and using reference photos that the client has provided as a guide. Pam specializes in the figures and faces and with the two of them using their combined talents the results are outstanding.

They have been doing this for over 30 years, but as Pam explained, it never gets old as each project is so different. “It doesn’t seem that long because every piece we do, every commission, has something we have never done before, so it’s always new.”

The couple do between 10-15 events annually, from car shows to race events to Concour events like Amelia Island. It was at one of those events a couple of years ago in Hershey, Pennsylvania that they were “discovered” by a very popular car guy, Wayne Carini, who has his own show on the Velocity Network titled “Chasing Classic Cars”. Needless to say, Wayne was quite taken with the Booth’s work and at Amelia Island last year they were featured in segment on the show with Wayne. It was a popular segment and they have since been included in other episodes, with more to come.

That relationship with Wayne Carini sparked the idea for a joint project that benefits charity.

Craig explains: “I made a mug with goggles and a white mustache and Wayne posed for a photo with it. It made it to Facebook and everyone went crazy over it. So, I started producing them with the proceeds going to Wayne’s charity, Autism of Connecticut. Wayne signed the mugs, and they have been very popular.”

He continues: “This year at Amelia Island at Wayne’s request, the proceeds from the sales of the mugs are going to Bill Warner’s charities through the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation, which is great.”

When an episode of “Chasing Classic Cars” airs featuring Craig and Pam, they usually get 300-400 new inquiries about their work, so they are keeping pretty busy.

It couldn’t happen to a nicer or more talented couple of artists. Be sure to take a look at their website, cartoonsbybooth.net and then let your imagination go wild. The Booths can translate your imagination into reality.